Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney gave a blunt response to Theo Walcott's Arsenal comparison as the two retired footballers discussed Mikel Arteta's team from inside the San Siro
Wayne Rooney left Theo Walcott speechless
Wayne Rooney left Theo Walcott speechless(Image: )
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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney gave an emphatic response to former Arsenal star Theo Walcott, claiming his 2008 United side would 'batter' Mikel Arteta's current crop. The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League table, seven points clear of their nearest rivals, Manchester City, and also top of the Champions League table.
Arsenal are considered the best side in English football at present and are the favourites to end their two-decade wait for a top-flight title. The Gunners are also among the front-runners to win the Champions League trophy and are unbeaten in Europe so far this season.
However, Arteta's side haven't won anything yet in the campaign, despite still being able to complete a remarkable quadruple.
As for Rooney's United side of 2007-2008, they won the Premier League title, the Community Shield and the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored an incredible 42 goals in all competitions, with 31 of those arriving in the Premier League.
Former Gunners star Walcott admitted that United side was the best he had ever faced in his career, but asked Rooney how he thought they compared.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Walcott said: "It's kind of flipped hasn't it? Would your 08 team compete - well you would compete with this team [Arsenal] - but how does it compare to your 2008 team which was probably the best team I have ever played against?
"This squad, compared to that one."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Image: (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
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Rooney brutally replied: "Yeah, we'd batter them." That got a stunned response from Walcott who laughed it off and didn't know what to say, as Rooney added: "I think we would. I have to be honest."
Rooney himself made 39 appearances in all competitions for United that season, scoring an impressive 18 goals along the way.
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As for Arteta, he knew his side needed to make the most of any opportunities that came their way in Italy, having made his demands clear to his players ahead of the clash with Inter Milan.
His players obviously listened to him too as they prevailed 3-1 winners. Gabriel Jesus' brace and a third from Viktor Gyokeres ensured Arsenal will finish in the top two places in the table.